4th & 5th Grades present "The Epic of Gilgamesh"

This year's 4th and 5th grade play is based on an ancient Mesopotamian poem, widely regarded as being the first story ever written down. It is a story about a man who was born of Shamash, the Sun God, and the beautiful princess of the cruel king of Uruk. After this king attempts to kill his grandson, the boy is saved and raised by a peasant farmer and his wife. As a grown man, Gilgamesh returns to Uruk to save his mother, a prisoner in a high tower these many long years, and kill his grandfather, the king. He succeeds and is crowned the king, his royal birthright! As time passes, Gilgamesh becomes obsessed with creating high walls to surround the city. This is where our play begins.

The great king of Uruk of the High Walls, Gilgamesh, is thought to be too proud and arrogant by the gods, so they send a wild man, Enkidu, to humble him. After a fierce battle they become great friends and embark on many adventures together. When Enkidu dies from a wound he received in battle with one of the antagonists of the play, Gilgamesh is full of grief and sees his own mortality through the death of his noble friend. His grief and desire to find a way to bring back his beloved companion leads Gilgamesh on a long and tortuous journey. He endeavors to find his ancestor Utnapishtim, an immortal man who alone holds the secret of everlasting life. His journey takes him under the earth many leagues from his royal palace. Although Gilgamesh ultimately fails to win immortality, he does find peace. It is in this epic that his deeds live on through the written word.

Our blossoming actors did a fantastic job of bring the story to life for all of us to enjoy!

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